4 tips for creating the most clickable, shareable social images

If you’re working to build up your social media presence, you know that images are essential to boosting your online engagement. In fact, content with images gets almost twice as many views. If you’re not sharing images your audience loves, you’re missing out on serious engagement.

You need visual content, but figuring how to get it can be a challenge.

Which images are best for your business?

How can you find or create them?

How can your images stand out among the avalanche of others on social media when Facebook alone sees more than 300 million images shared every single day?

In this post, you’ll get three great tips on how to up your social game so you can get more clicks, likes and follows. You’ll learn the elements of shareable images, what works on each platform, and design tips to create engaging images for social media.

1. Know why people share
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Shareable images are small and manageable, and they visually convey a straightforward bit of information that is easy to digest. They instantly reveal something that we recognize, love and feel compelled to share with others—no fuss, no muss.

People share funny images

Engaging images for social media are funny, poignant or awe-inspiring.

People share useful images

Give users something that makes them say, “why didn’t I think of that?!” They’ll share it because spreading the word is the next best thing.

People share beautiful images

Engaging images for social media often feature original art—something unique that displays talent and value.

Shareable images need to be timed right. Part of what makes an image shareable is when it’s shared. Know your audience, use your analytics and share your images when your audience is active on the platform and ready to engage.

Daily tips, quotes or jokes build up loyal followers to learn to expect the same kind of content each day. This post from “Daily Om” gives followers a humorous take on the overall yoga and meditation lifestyle.

People share images that tell clear stories

The most shareable images on social media start with something that is visually appealing and go one step further by adding a layer of context. This is storytelling 101.

Ensure your images are optimized for branding, size and source. In a split second the image should load, it should be clear the image belongs to your brand and the viewer should understand exactly what you’re trying to say.

Anyone who has ever seen an Oreo knows that’s what they’re looking at here, and the red center and rover tracks plus the “Mars rover lands” text tell the whole branded story in a flash.

2. Know your platforms
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Shareable images also differ from platform to platform; what’s most engaging on Facebook might not work as well on Instagram, and vice versa. Remember what users on each platform are looking for.

Facebook

Facebook users share images that are funny or emotional. They’re typically looking for entertainment or enlightenment.

Instagram

Instagram users share images that are visually striking and transport the viewer like a travelogue might. They’re typically looking for exciting sensory experiences and like to live vicariously.

Twitter

Twitter users love posts that offer fast information.

Pinterest

Pinterest users love pictures of things, not people, that are colorful. DIY, crafting, and home-related images dominate, and users treat their boards as inspiration/shopping lists and planning centers.

3. Know how to design images
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To design more engaging images for social media, keep these basic guidelines to keep in mind.